Notes and quotes from Adam Jones' news conference

The Orioles made Adam Jones’ six-year, $85.5 million deal official Sunday with a morning news conference.

We’ve been reporting details for a while now, but I thought I’d bring you some quotes.

The best one came from club executive vice president Dan Duquette when asked whether the team’s and Jones’ hot start spurred the decision to sign Jones long-term.

“The dude rang the cash register every time he hit a home run,” Duquette said. “So I mean Adam kind of forced the issue, didn’t he?”

There was a lot of thanking going on, and Jones’ list included the Angelos family, general counsel Russell Smouse, Duquette, Orioles manager Buck Showalter, the coaching staff, Jones’ agent, mom and girlfriend, former players Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McLemore and Tony Gwynn and four current teammates that were present at the conference – Nick Markakis, J.J. Hardy, Robert Andino and Jake Arrieta.

Here are some of the best quotes:

Duquette: “To have a great team in Baltimore, we have to find and keep players like Adam, players that are willing to make the sacrifices for the team and do the little things that we all know helps teams win games. This commitment by the Orioles reflects the fact that Adam Jones is more than a fine player. He’s a leader in our community and he’s a winner. He has heart, and his work in the community makes clear that his heart is in the right place.”

Jones: “Everybody knows I am not from Baltimore, but this is now my town. So I want to relish it and win baseball games.” Jones: “Now I don’t have to worry about trade deadline, free agency. I don’t have to worry about that. Just worry about being part of the best team in baseball, being part of the 25 that goes out there and plays baseball. And know that I am going to be here in Baltimore, a great baseball city. It’s coming back. We’ve got to prove to the fans that we are for real and we are slowly doing it and I think this is a big step in that right direction.”

Duquette: “We are committed to having a winning team and one of the keys to have a winning team year in and year out is to have players in your lineup that … Adam Jones stabilizes our team. He goes to the post every day. He goes out there. ... Here’s a player that can help us on both sides of the ball. He’s 26 years old and he’s a fixture in the community. So we are telling Oriole fans we are committed to this player, we are committed to putting a winning team on the field and we are committed to providing hope to rebuilding our fan base.”

Jones: “I fit here in this city. I fit here on this team, I fit in at Camden Yards. I really don’t see myself wearing another white uniform that doesn’t have Orioles across the chest. After I put that in perspective of what, if I won here, if we win here this is my championship, this is our championship. I’m not part of someone else’s championship. Putting all that in perspective, that makes me even hungrier to win. As a competitor that’s ultimately what I want, beat the odds. Here we can really beat the odds and I do want to be a part of it.”

Showalter: “Adam understands the responsibility that comes along with the commitment, he doesn’t run from that. And I trust him. Believe me, he interviews us a little too. He doesn’t want to be around something that’s not going to be worthy of the effort that he’s going to put in. And a lot of people feel that way in our clubhouse and I think Adam shares a kinship with our players.”

Showalter: “Adam gets a lot of things that people his age don’t get about what’s reality and what’s not reality and what they do for a living. So it’s exciting for me and, more importantly his teammates and the fans. He’s got a chance to continue to do the things [he’s been doing]. Everything he’s gotten he deserves. Because he’s done what you are supposed to.”